Oral preparations for preventing dental caries

Abstract

This invention has identified two compositions, pimento berry oil and terpeneless bay oil, which are effective as antimicrobial agents against cariogenic streptoccus mutans and Lactobaccilli casei and fermenti. These active compositions, when employed in oral preparations and used in an effective regimen of repeated application to these bacteria in the mouth, are useful in reducing dental plaque and dental caries.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for inhibiting cariogenic streptococcus mutans, lactobacilli fermenti and casei, oral bacteria responsible for the formation of dental plaque, dental caries and mixtures thereof, which comprises reimmersing said bacteria in solutions containing as an active ingredient an amount greater than 0.17% of pimento berry oil, for at least 1 minute, three times each day, until said reimmersions are effective in inhibiting said bacteria responsible for the formation of dental plaque, dental caries and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
       2. A method for inhibiting cariogenic streptococcus mutans, lactobacilli fermenti and casei, oral bacteria responsible for the formation of dental plaque, dental caries and mixtures thereof, which comprises reimmersing said bacteria in solutions containing as an active ingredient an amount greater than 0.1% of terpeneless bay oil, for at least 1 minute, three times each day, until said reimmersions are effective in inhibiting said bacteria responsible for the formation of dental plaque, dental caries and mixtures thereof.